Summer Eclipses 2010

July 9th, 2010

What is an eclipse?

In astrology an eclipse is a play between light and shadow and occurs when there is a lunation near one of the moon’s nodes.  Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth comes between the full moon and Sun, so that the earth’s shadow is cast on the moon.  A solar eclipse happens when the new moon comes between the Sun and Earth, and casts a shadow on the Sun.

Ancient cultures all over the world tracked eclipses because they created their calendars based on the lunar cycles.  To establish an accurate calendar, they observed the moon’s movement on a regular basis, by constructing megalithic observatories such as Stonehenge.

Eclipses have always portended momentous change for both personal and mundane events, and their affects last for six months.  The June 26th Partial Lunar Eclipse at 4º46′ Capricorn was no exception, as it was also part of a rare 7 planet Grand Cross configuration.

A Grand Cross is formed when planets literally form a cross pattern in the sky.  The recent configuration included, the Moon and Pluto in Capricorn, Saturn in late degrees of Virgo, Mercury and Sun in Cancer, and Jupiter and Uranus in Aries.


So What Does it all Mean?

There is lot’s of speculation going on amongst astrologers on the internet, without consensus.  In fact, many astrologers insist there is a T square happening, and don’t even recognize the Grand Cross.  So for what it’s worth, here’s what I think.

In keeping with the theme of light and shadow, June’s partial lunar eclipse conjunct Pluto, can personally teach us all, how to passionately clean up our lives literally and figuratively.  We must ask ourselves what personal patterns do we have that are still supporting the old paradigms?  The astrology is demanding that we transform our old, hidden patterns and move deeper into the power of Love & Light.

A Grand Cross is made up of 2 oppositions and 4 squares, all of which denote stress.  The opposition of Sun/Mercury and Moon/Pluto have to do with balancing your conscious thoughts with your unconscious emotions.  While the opposition of Jupiter/Uranus and Saturn, are balancing the need to be head strong, freedom loving, and thrill seeking, with the actions of being grounded, stable, and maintaining the status quo.

Squares denote conflict and challenge and hopefully result in transformation. Specifically the 4 squares in June’s Grand Cross denote the following:

Pluto/Moon square Jupiter/Uranus: Letting the past die to make way for new passionate emotional experiences vs. The creation of new opportunities for expansion and growth.

Pluto/Moon square Saturn: Letting the past die to make way for new passionate emotional experiences vs. Disappointments and heavy responsibilities that can bring depression and a lack of confidence in changing old habits.

Sun/Mercury square Jupiter/Uranus: Harnessing ideas and decisions through will power vs. The need to be free to create new opportunities for expansion and growth.

Sun/Mercury square Saturn: Harnessing ideas and decisions through will power vs. Obstacles to change, and difficulty in maintaining a positive attitude.

However these aspects are affecting us, we must become aware of our own issues surfacing now, and move inward to process the complex energies being brought forth at this time.

July 11th Total Solar Eclipse

Solar eclipses happen on the new moon and signify beginnings, usually manifested as events in the outer world. Those who have the cardinal signs of Cancer, Aries, Libra and Capricorn in their charts around 19 degrees will be most affected by this eclipse.  Remember, the affects of  all eclipses will be felt for 3-6 months after they have occurred.

Here we are all being called to use previously learned skills and talents in new ways and create opportunities in the realm of home and inner security.

The most troublesome squares have disappeared, and have been replaced with positive energies of the Sextile of Sun/Moon to Mars, and trines of  Venus to Pluto and Jupiter/Uranus to Mercury.

Wherever this eclipse falls in our birth charts, we have the opportunity to begin anew.

Do you have any insights about eclipses you would like to share?


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Walking the Path of Surrender

April 8th, 2010

Back in the early ’90′s, when I was first beginning my spiritual healing practice, it was popular for practitioners to increase their clientele, by setting up shop in various cities, and working out of New Age bookstores.   This method seemed to be working for many people, so I too decided to give it a try.  It was really a lot of running around, but because it turned out to be fairly lucrative, I continued my monthly traveling route to and from the North Carolina cities of Raleigh,  Wilmington and Greensboro, for nearly two years.  I saw it as a win, win, win, situation, for the client, store and myself, and a great way to serve these communities.

In retrospect, I know now, how unwise it was to work on folks right off the street.   I never knew who I would be working on or what malady I would have to deal with.  Most clients were fine, but there were a few, that I would have been better off never meeting.  I am reminded of a young woman who had a black amoeba like energy,  stuck in her third eye.  My guides took one look at her and said sternly, “Step out of the room!  We will work on her ourselves.”  And then, “Don’t accept any money in exchange for this healing.  You don’t want anything connecting the two of you when she leaves.”  Well, I was young and inexperienced back then, what did I know?!

During that time I was also in the processes of educating myself through a four year apprenticeship in Native American healing and spirituality.  My teacher and I usually met a couple of times a week for our session work together, which usually consisted of discussions, profound healings, and sacred pipe ceremonies.  It was truly a transformative and educational time for me.  However, I was unprepared for what was soon to transpire during one of our healings.  Our time together started out fairly routinely, however, as soon as I lay down on the table, The Guardians of the Directions came and talked to me about my healing practice.  They said, ” You think you are serving others, but really you are only serving yourself!.  If you truly want to serve others, what you need to do is cancel all your appointments for the next month, and let us bring you people to work with.”

Well needless to say, I was in shock.  First of all, I really felt I was serving others, and never even entertained the thought that I was just serving my ego.  And there was absolute terror, at the thought of loosing all my hard won contacts, and having no income.  Did I really want to do as I was being asked?  Would the Guardians come through for me?  How committed was I to this path anyway?  It really threw me into a very profound, although short lived, Dark Night of the Soul.  Several days later, after much soul searching, I finally decided to follow the Guardian’s suggestions.  I cancelled everything on my calendar for the next 30 days, and thus, my path of surrender began.

The path of surrender, is extremely yin in nature, and little understood in our culture.  Most people are continually pushing and promoting themselves to get ahead.  In the path of surrender, all things that I need are simply brought to me by Spirit.  I live in a state of Grace.  Through the years, the Guardians of the Cardinal Directions, have become my most cherished companions, protectors, teachers, guides, and allies.   Although I have not surrendered my free will, I am always mindful of what I am being asked to do to serve humanity.

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Talking to the Deer Spirits

March 22nd, 2010

Every year I usually go to some type of Spring Equinox celebration, and this year was no exception.  I attended a small labyrinth gathering on the beautiful property of a friend of mine.  We did a group walk in her 40 foot, well cared for, labyrinth and afterward, toured her manicured, all year round herb and vegetable gardens.  I enjoyed looking at the greens growing in her greenhouse, and picking up some gardening tips, along the way.  Of course, most of her garden was surrounded by a 7 foot fence to keep the deer from eating her crops.

Having no known predators where I live in North Carolina, deer are overly plentiful.  So it’s not unusual gardening conversation, to have folks comparing deer stories and ways to keep them at bay.  Most people I meet convey much frustration about deer eating whatever they plant around their house.  They have tried everything to keep them away; spraying plants with “deer off”, hanging “Irish Spring” soap in the trees, urinating to mark their property, (Yes, really!), using dogs to bark them away, growing plants that deer don’t like, and of course, fencing them out.  Nothing usually works, except for the fences.

Most people always seem astounded when I tell them that I’ve never had deer problems where I live.  Sure, I see them walking in the woods during their morning or afternoon strolls, but they know better than to come into my yard.  And when they do, I go out, bang on a pot, and chase them away.  It’s a real clear message that says, “You’re trespassing here!  Go away!”  However, these actions are only a last resort.  My real secret, is having the Guardians of the Directions (east, south, west, north), intercede for me, by simply asking the deer spirits to stay away.  And if that fails, they surround my property with Panther energy.

The reactions are usually the same.  “The Who?  Guardians?  Who or what are they?”  In Native American circles, The Guardians of the Directions are sometimes called Spirit Keepers.  They sit at, and are in charge of, the energies of each Cardinal Direction.  They are real Divine Beings, that symbolize four archangels in the Judeo-Christian belief systems. (Gabriel in the East, Micheal in the South, Raphael in the West, and Uriel in the North).  In fact every ancient culture worked with the Guardians in some capacity.  Today, they are only known to indigenous peoples, and those of us who work shamanically or follow the old ways.

It is through years of working in Right Relationship with Spirit and all of my relations, that the Guardians of the Directions have volunteered to speak to and work with other spirits in my behalf.  However, you too, can have such a relationship by opening your hearts, shifting your perceptions, and committing to a life of Right Relationship, where all life is sacred, and everything is interrelated.  When we walk our talk in this way, a whole new world opens up to us.

If you are interested in learning how to connect with the Guardians of the Directions, let me know.  We can work together in my seminar Creating Sacred Space.

Do you talk to the Spirits?  Let us know about your experiences!

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The Law of Attraction: Should We Use It?

March 13th, 2010

By now every man, woman, and child in the US must know about the“Law of Attraction”. Having its origins in New Age circles, we can thank Esther Hicks for making it a buzzword in mainstream America.

“The Law of Attraction”—–what does it mean?” asks the neophyte.  It means that if you concentrate and focus on what you want, you will attract it to you.  Hey man, you can fulfill all of your desires!  How cool is that!  And because it’s a “Law” its spiritual too!

Hmmm…what’s wrong with this picture?  Don’t the eastern religions teach spirituality is being Detached from one’s desires?   They say we need to release our desires to move forward on the spiritual ladder.

When we focus on the “Law of Attraction” we are merely reflecting our consumer-oriented society’s needs and our culture’s disconnection from gratitude.  As if we don’t already have enough, now we can satisfy our More Syndrome and fulfill all our monetary desires.

The “Law of Attraction” is but one Law governing this Planet.  Let’s balance out our actions by learning about the “Law of Reciprocity”. Then instead of fulfilling our desires, maybe we can change our lifestyles and save the world.

So what is the deal with the “Law of Reciprocity”? The “Law of Reciprocity” is based on the “Law of Right Relationship” which says that all life is sacred and that everything in the Web of Life is connected.  When we get something, we need to honor the Sacred and All of Our Relations, (the 2 legged, 4 legged, fishes, insects, plants, trees, winged ones, mountains, stars), by giving something back in return.

And when we give something back, it needs to be:  Without Attachment, Without Controlling the Outcome, and Without Strings Attached.

An interesting thing happens when we allow ourselves to work with the“Law of Reciprocity”. All of our:

-  Poverty transforms into abundance

-  Greed & envy transforms into gratitude

-   Competition transforms into cooperation

-    And domination transforms into equality


If, we had as many people committed to the “Law of Reciprocity” as there are committed to the “Law of Attraction”, a wondrous healing and renewal could happen on Earth and in its human collective.

Wouldn’t it be nice if this change began with YOU!

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2012: Let’s Take A Deep Breath

March 11th, 2010

As we approach 2012, the end date of the Mayan Calendar, we have all observed how our lives have grown more intense. This is due to the higher energies or light coming to the Planet at this time. This light has a vibratory rate much faster than we are used to.

Those of us who are doing inner work are finding that releasing outworn patterns is imperative, because the old ways are not working any longer.  Instead, we must find revelations and healings of self and life at a quicker pace than ever before. Others, who are not as self aware, may react to this phenomenon through agitation or violence.

What can we do to ease the pressures of the times we live in?  The Hopis have a prophecy about our planetary dilemma. They say, “As things speed up, you slow down.”  You might ask, “How can you do that?” and “Is it really possible?”  After all, we do live in the age of instant communications, highway cowboys, and fifty hour work weeks.

An easy way to slow down is to simply breathe deeply, and slowly. By doing this you can begin to release your fear, that you do not have enough time to get everything finished.

A great exercise you can practice anywhere and anytime to slow your breath down is:

Breathe in for 4 counts.
Hold your breath for 4 counts.
Breathe out for 4 counts.
And hold your breath out for 4 counts.
Repeat for 5-15 minutes or longer if needed.

Doing this exercise will help you to return to a calmer disposition. You can actually get more done when you are clear and working more deliberately, than when you are frantic or rushing around. Take a hint from nature about this.

I often have hummingbirds visiting my many porch flowers. Sometimes though, their speed hinders them. They dart around so quickly that they miss the very flowers they came to feed on. The bumblebee on the other hand, methodically goes from flower to flower and plant to plant, feeding on as much nectar as possible. They even take time out for an afternoon siesta. When they wake up, they simply resume their work.

So next time you feel you don’t quite have enough time to do whatever it is you are doing, take a deep breath, clear your head and remember it’s time to slow down.

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The Grass May Not Be Greener In Your Neighbor’s Yard!

February 24th, 2010

Have you ever looked at a blade of grass? I mean really looked at it! Get down on your hands and knees and see the way it’s growing in the ground. Are the roots sticking up out of the earth? What about how its body is shaped, or the pattern on that particular individual piece? Have you studied how all the blades so wonderfully fit together to form the carpet of green we take for granted? The next time you step out of your house, recognize and surrender to the beauty of the grass. Say hello with intent of respect & honoring. You may be surprised that it says hello to you too!

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